A group of Taiwan supporters were also prepared to take to the skies, flying a small banner that simply said, "WELCOME PRESIDENT TSAI ING-WEN."

President Tsai was accompanied by Secretary General Chen Chu (陳菊) and Minister of the Overseas Community Affairs Council, Wu Hsin-hsing (吳新興). The delegation is slated to visit the Culture Center of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles and to hold a free dinner for over 1,200 second-generation overseas Taiwanese.

Over 500 people cheer on President Tsai in Los Angeles. (CNA image)

Tsai is on a nine-day trip to visit two of Taiwan's diplomatic allies, Brazil and Paraguay. In addition to Los Angeles, Tsai will have a stopover in Houston on her return trip, Aug. 18.